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Open Poetry #8
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The Whispering Tree
| Open Poetry #8 |
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The Whispering Tree |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap 
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The Whispering Tree The morning drifted softly down and settled ‘round my feet And, thus in gossamer arrayed, my steps did lightly fall Upon the path which drew me ever forward, ever on And upward toward that lonely space where only eagles fly. The forest's lacy silhouette enshrouded me complete, While floated on the mountain's sigh the periodic call Of distant thrush, whose sweet refrain but lately woke the dawn. Each breath I drew was clear and blue; for there, I breathed the sky. The peaks about assailed the heights with thrusts of jagged stone, But where I stood, the hand of Time evinced its artistry; For here, the rock was rendered smooth by touch of wind and rain, Its roundness stark against the host pressed close and craggy by. I quailed before that vast brigade, for never more alone Was I than when I fell beneath their ageless scrutiny: What hubris does this mortal dare, presuming to remain Upon this shrine by Nature carved to please the Heaven's eye? Forever spilled from every stone, the faint but certain sound Of timelessness left all awash with ancient memory; And yet, a silence held the space, a gravid hush endured, Compelling even lawless winds to eerie quietude. And there, ensconced upon the edge, in challenge to the ground, There grew a single sapling pine in quiet modesty; I marveled at this pilgrim's strength, whose meekness had procured A place on this exalted height, to stand in solitude. I felt a kinship calling there, a brotherhood of strife With this unlikely denizen of barren wilderness; Pariahs both, defiant of the petrous monarchy Whose edict named this peak a place of venerable death. There rooted in the hoary stone, from lifeless drawing life, And worried by unflagging winds, its branches did confess In whispered tones, the summit's unremembered history: A hymn of ages, sung upon the mountain's very breath. I settled close beside the trunk, entranced by this refrain -- So clear, it seemed, when all beside was quiet as the dead – And through its melody there rang a courage gladly shared: I feared no more the hostile heights, nor titan's treachery. For now, the lilt of sylvan-song compelled me to remain Betwixt the heavens and the earth, where late I feared to tread, In homage to this humble tree, whose steadfast spirit dared To steal the secrets of the sky, and whisper them to me. < !signature--> YOUR LIFE IS A TEST It is only a test ... If this were your Actual Life, you would have been given better instructions! [This message has been edited by Skyfyre (edited 06-12-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
EXCEPTIONAL K, my goodness this is amazing and me thinks your case of writers block is gone now  and then some *smile* later-gifted-poet-gator jm And it's good that I'm not angry, I just need to get over, I'm not angry, anymore Cry when you cry, run when you run, love when you love, represent the ashes that you leave behind ~MB20~ "What the caterpillar calls the end ... The world calls a butterfly" ~Lao Tze Tao~ ~Butterflies are meant to be free~ |
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brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Ok I read through this somewhat quickly, This poem deserves at less another two careful reads. If you don't mind I would love to print a copy. But from the first read I am floored amazing. left breathless. absolutely excellent. ------------------------ "Take nothing but pictures. Leave nothing but footprints. Kill nothing but time". Baltimore Grotto "To be nobody-but-yourself-in a world which is doing its best night and day, to make you everybody else - means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." E.E Cummings. manic street preachers "Culture Alienation Borebom and Despair" "I know I believe in nothing but it is my nothing" -faster MSP "And you see, I kind of shiver to conformity Did you see, the way I cower to authority, you see And my life, it's a series of compromises anyway It's a sham, and I'm conditioned to accept it all, you see" six by Paul Draper. ----- |
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Corinne Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167state of confusion |
Such a haunting tale, Skyfyre. The things the earth can tell us, if we are listening.... Corinne |
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Skyfyre Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906Sitting in Michael's Lap |
Janet: Indeed, this one took me quite a while to complete (a few days at least), and was in fact partly responsible for my writer's block -- for some reason I could not apply myself to another endeavor until this was finished. It is a true place, and an actual tree (poetic liberties notwithstanding, of course) -- perhaps that is why it so compelled me to be written ... Thank you for the kind words, m'friend. Glad you enjoyed.  brian: You are most welcome to any number of copies, and it is gratifying to know that you consider my words worthy of printing. A most high compliment indeed ...Corrine: Perfectly put -- and I could not agree more. Sometimes there is more said in no words than words could ever hope to hold. Thank you again, --Kess |
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JulieAnn Senior Member
since 2000-06-12
Posts 754Earth 3rd Rock from the sun!! |
it brought me back to the woods of michigan when I was a child...how I loved to hide admidst the forest...getting lost til dark when I had to return home...it was there I felt at peace and one with the world....Thanks for your lovely poetry.... |
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Master Senior Member
since 1999-08-18
Posts 1867Boston, MA |
You continue to amaze me Kess!!! Thank you! |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Ummm... I umm... Kess, this is yet another slam dunk. Marvelling at the symbolism this painted. Wish I could do better, but hey... |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
Kess, this was so exquisitely done. Thanks for sharing. |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Wow Kess, I can't tell you which is more spectacular, the mountain which inspired this poem or the poem in itself. Both seem to steal your breath, carrying with them a sense of trepidation, yet a far more overwhelming sense of peace. Both, too, seem to whisper secrets all their own. Truly a lovely piece, mi-Lady. That comprised with your perfection in form and this one shines amongst your best me thinks. Michael |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Kess, oh Kess, this is beautiful. You transported me directly back to my days in Yosemite, where "There grew a single sapling pine in quiet modesty;" and you have indeed given me some food for thought [and perhaps new poetry]. Did I tell you how beautiful this was? And you do it with such seeming effortlessness, that I'm afraid I've been bit by the green-eyed monster! Thank you! Sunshine ~~~Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller ~~~ |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Oh Kess, this was just breath-takingly beautiful! So picturesque and poignant ... such strength delivered from the message within. I truly loved the images you painted here. Best wishes, /Kit |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
TREE WHISPHERER, huh? click. into my library! |
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